Russia’s leading book publisher, Eksmo, has officially ceased operations at its troubled young-adult literature division, Popcorn Books, which has been at the forefront of the Kremlin’s campaign against what it labels “LGBT extremism.”
On Tuesday, Eksmo informed the Vedomosti business newspaper that the Popcorn Books brand has come to symbolize “a context that extends beyond mere book publishing.”
This remark seems to allude to the raids and the apprehension of several Eksmo employees in May 2025 on allegations of breaching Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” and “extremism” laws.
Three senior executives from Popcorn Books, along with another Eksmo division, Individuum, are currently under house arrest as the investigation proceeds. The accusation of managing the activities of an “extremist organization” carries a potential prison sentence of up to a decade.
In late 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court categorized the so-called “international LGBT movement” as an extremist entity, effectively criminalizing public expressions of LGBTQ+ identities and advocacy.
“This situation hinders the publisher’s ability to evolve further,” Eksmo stated to Vedomosti, without mentioning the ongoing detentions.
Eksmo took a controlling interest in Popcorn Books in 2023, following the success of the 2021 queer-themed bestseller “Summer in a Pioneer Tie,” which narrates a romance between a teenage pioneer and a camp counselor during a Soviet summer camp.
After the arrests in 2025, the parent company seemed to distance itself from the imprint.
Popcorn Books announced its closure in a heartfelt post on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to its readers for their unwavering support “during moments when we could hardly continue.”
“You are our cornerstone: compassionate, genuine, and open to diverse voices and experiences,” Popcorn Books conveyed via Telegram.
The publisher also seemed to allude to the detention of its top management, stating, “Every day, we think of those we collaborated with for many years and are deeply concerned for their well-being.”
